While some newly announced policies in Budget 2023 are welcomed, economists say the government is channelling the additional operational expenditure on the wrong priorities.

They also questioned the handouts announced, saying the goodies are “potentially inflationary” or that the method of distribution would lead to corruption.

Speaking to Malaysiakini, here are comments from three economists on yesterday’s Budget 2023 speech:

Geoffrey Williams, Malaysia University of Science and Technology professor and economist

We have seen what was predicted, a massive 12 percent increase in pre-election operational spending and a long list of handouts to various interest groups.

The extra expected revenue has...